Washing machine



June 16, 1942. G. B. FOX

I WASHING MACHINE} Filed Jan; 1s, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 2 5 MM m mm W B 6 4 4 4% /m/ I 5 4 7 8 3 1 g June 16, 1942-. G. B. FOX

WASHING momma Filed Jan: 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mfl BY 4 7 W ATTORNEYS Patented June 16, 1942 STATES .J'PATENT OFFICE WASHING Macnmn Gerald B. Fox, Troy, Ohio, assignor to The Hobart Manufacturing Com poration of Ohio pany, Troy, Ohio, a cor- Application January 13, 1939, Serial No. 250,793 6 Claims. (01.299-40) fluids discharged through suitable spray openaway and partly in section, of a washing machine provided with a rotatable fluid distributing de-' vice constructed in accordance with the present invention;

ings provided in the arms. To maintain the rinse arms in a non-interfering position relative to the discharge openings of the wash arms it has also been the practice to mount the rinse arms for rotation as-a unit with the wash arms. It has, accordingly, been necessary for the reaction forces of the rinse fluid to rotate the entire unit including the wash arms which comprise relatively large heavy castings formed integral with a central hub member. The rinse fluid is supplied from some external source such as a city water system and the reaction forces of the rinse fluid are usually considerably less than those of the wash fluid which is discharged in a relatively much larger quantity from the wash arms. Thus it has been found that in certain cases such as when the pressure'of the rinse supply source falls too low or too long a time is permitted to elapse between the shutting oil of the wash fluid and the turning on of the rinse-fluid'with loss of rotational momentum, thereaction forces of-the rinse fluid may be insufiiclent-to cause satisfactory operation of the rinse arms.

. A primary object of the invention, accordingly, is the provision of a washing machine in which the rinse distributor isrotatable entirely independently of and out of contact with the wash distributor and in which the wash distributor drives the rinse distributor during the washing operation to effect rotation of both distributors with Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rotatable fluid distributing mechanism; 1

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 with the rinse arms rotated into the plane of the wash arms;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the clutch members interposed between the wash arm and rinsearm;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 -5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a broken, fragmentary elevational view 7 of a washing machine provided with both upper and lower rotary fluid distributing devices embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the construction of the. upper distributing device illustrated in Fig. 6, the view being taken substantially the same as Fig. 3 with the rinse arms rotated into the plane of the wash arms.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and to Fig. 1 in particular, there is shown a supporting framework l0 upon which is mounted a tank II. A semicylindrical cover I: adapted to enclose a utensil carrying rack l3 'slidably supported on the rinse distributor maintained in predeterof contact with the wash arm so that no interference with or impediment to the free rotation of the rinse arm iscaused by the wash arm.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in

' which- Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly broken track members I4 is positioned adjacent the upper end of the tank. The cover I 2 is suitably mounted on the tank for movement to an open position providing for the ready insertion and remov al of the rack l3, and to the closed position shown. The tank is provided with a sump l5 communicating with a centrifugal pump l6 driven by m0- tor l1 and adapted to circulate the wash fluid contained within the tank u'pwardly through a pipe I8 into a rotatable wash distributor l9 from which it is forcibly expelled to effect a cleansing of the utensils contained inthe rack I 3. A fitting 20 provided with a rotary valve 2| is interposed in the pipe [8 to provide for stopping and controlling the flow of wash fluid to the rotary distributor l9.

A pipe 22 provides for introducing fresh rinse water heated to a desired degree'of temperature into the interior of the washing machine. As

shown the pipe 22 has a branch 23 which connects rality of stationary-rinse nozzles 26 adapted to scum, and other matter which floats upon the,

top of the wash liquid contained within the tankand is caused to rise above the outlet to the overflow pipe upon introduction of the rinse fluid. Sieves 32 positioned above the sump l provide for removing any coarse particles of food or the like from the wash fluid before it is recirculated through the wash distributor I9. The drainage pipe 3 l communicates with the sump i5 and provides for draining the washing fluid from the interior of the tank. It is to be understood that suitable means, controlled exteriorly of the tank, are provided for efiecting the operation of the motor ll to cause circulation of the wash fluid and for introducing a rinse fluid into the machine after a washing operation.

Both the wash distributor l9 and the lower rinse distributor 24 are adapted to be rotated by the reaction forces of the fluids expelled therefrom and the arrangement is such that therinse distributor can rotate independently of the relatively heavy wash distributor to facilitate the operation of the rinse distributor and provide for satisfactory rotation thereof even though the reaction forces of the rinse fluid are relatively weak and would be insumcient to effect a satisfactory rotation of both the rinse and wash distributors. Provision is made, however, for locking the distributors together for concurrent rotation in unison upon operation of the wash distributor to prevent the arms of the rinse distributor from interfering with the distribution of fiuid from the lower positioned wash distributor. The two distributors are rotatably mounted on a fitting 35. that is supported by the pipe l8 which supplies wash fluid from the pump IS. The fitting 35 is provided with a laterally extending nipple 36 that is attached to an elbow 31 that connects with the pipe l8 above the valve fitting 20. The bottom of the fitting 35 is provided with a hollow upstanding boss 38 provided with an annular shoulder 39 and communicating with a nipple 40 adapted to be connected to the rinse branch pipe 23. A hollow stem member 4! is removably mounted within the boss 38 with its bottom resting upon the shoulder 39 and its upper end'extending exteriorly of the fitting 35 through a circular opening 42 defined by an upstanding cylindrical lip 43. The stem 4| is mounted concentrically of the opening 42 and is held in vertical position so that the wash and rinse distributors rotate in a substantially horizontal plane within the tank II. A key 44 serves to maintain the stem 4| with n the boss 38 and additionally serves to prevent rotation of the stem relative to the fitting 35. the boss 38 is provided with a lateralally extending hollow, cylindrical portion 45 that communicates with an opening in the side wall of the fitting 35 and within which the elongated key 44 is received and extends exteriorly of the fitting. The key 44 is provided with an elongated tapered portion 46 that is adapted to engage a flattened As shown in Fig. 5'

portion 41 provided on the exterior .wall of the distributor on the stem 4|.

portion of the key is so proportioned that when the nut 48 is loosened and the key moved inwardly the stem 4| is freed from the key and is formed with a depending cylindrical lip 53 adapted to surround the upstanding lip 43 of the fitting 35 and provide .a non-frictional. but

effectively closed continuous passage from the interior of fitting 35 into the hollow arms of the distributor. The internal diameter of the lip 53 is slightly greater'than the greatest external diameter of the lip 43 and has suflicientheight to overlap lip 43 over a limited sliding movement of the wash distributor axially of the stem 4|. The hub 5|! is provided with an internal sleeve 54 constructed from a suitable non-corrosive bearing material and adapted to provide a bearing for the rotational and axial movement of the The wash distributor normally occupies a lowered inoperative position in which the bottom of the hub 50 engages and rests upon the top. of the upstanding boss 38 but is adapted to slide upwardly on the stem 4| in response to the introduction of washing fluid therein.

The ends of the arms 5| are closed by fittings 55 that are provided with an'gularly directed spray outlets 56 adapted to cause rotation of the distributor by the reaction of the wash fluid expelled under pressure therefrom. As shown, the angularity of the spray outlet 56 is adjustable within the limits of slots 51 adapted to cooperate with screws 58 threaded into the arms 5|, and the fittings 55 are maintained in the adjusted position by means of set screws 59..

' The rinse distributor 24 is coaxially mounted on the stern 4| above the wash distributor and is supported for rotation independently of the wash distributor as mentioned above. As shown the rinse distributor comprises a hollow, substantially cylindrical.casting 65 having upper and lower internal bosses 61 and 68 that fit on the stem 4| and provide a bearing for the rinse distributor. Two oppositely directed sleeve-like parts 39 communicate with the interior of the casting and support a pair of hollow rinse arms 10 which are received within the sleeve-like parts 69 and extend in opposite directions laterally of the distributor head 65. The rinse arms 10 are removably secured within the sleeves 69 by mean of set screws 12 and are provided with a plurality of spray o'utlets positioned in the side walls of the rinse arms and so arranged that the distributor is caused to rotate by the reaction forces of the fluid expelled therefrom. The

outer ends of the rinse arms 18 are closed by plug-like members I3 that thread into the ends of the rinse arms and are provided with retaining clips." which hook around the rinse arms inwardly of the outermost spray outlets 1| and serve to prevent loss of the plug members when the plugs are unscrewed from the rinse arms. The rinse fluid is conducted to the rinse distributor by means of the hollow stem 4| which communicates with the nipple 40 and supply pipe 22 and is provided adjacent its upper end. with a plurality of openings I5 that communicate with the interior of the distributor head intermediate the upper and lower supporting bosses i1 and 58 thereof.

standing externally threaded portion 83 and a cup-shaped cap memberM, partly broken away in Fig. 2, threads upon this portion and overlies,

the stem 4| and bearing bolt 88. A screw 85 threads through the cap 84 axially of the stem 4| and is provided at its inner end with a suitable bearing part 86 that is adapted to engage the head 8| of bolt 88 and support the weight of the rinse distributor thereon.

The vertical positioning of the rinse distributor axially of the stem 6| is such that a predeter-' mined spacing is provided between the bottom of the rinse distributor and the top of the wash distributor when the latter occupies its inoperative position with the hub resting upon the upstanding'boss 38. This spacing permits a limited vertical movement of the wash distributor axially of the stem 4| when a wash fluid is introduced therein. As above mentioned, the wash distributor is adapted to slide on the stem in response to the introduction of the wash fluid, the

hydraulic pressure of the fluid which is intro- 1 duced upwardly under pressure causing the distributor to move upwardly on the stem until the top of hub 58 engages the bottom of the rinse distributor. I 1

The upward thrust acting on the wash distributor by reason of the hydraulic pressure of the wash fluid introduced therein is transmitted to the rinse distributor upon movement of the wash distributor into engagement therewith and this thrust is taken by a slotted washer or key 'points on the annular member.

The axial movement of the'wash distributor in response tothe introduction of fluid therein is utilized to make a locking connection between the rinse distributor and the wash distributor upon operation of the wash distributor to cause unitary rotation of the two distributors with the rinse distributor maintained in a position in which it does not interfere with the distribution of fluid from the discharge openings of the wash distributor. As shown in Fig. '3 a clutch means adapted to provide a one way drive between the wash distributor and the rinse distributor upon upward movement of the wash distributor is interposed between the bottom of the rinse distributor and the top of the wash distributor and comprises apair of cooperating clutch members 90 mounted upon annular seats provided on the bottom of casting 85 and the top of hub 58. The clutch is of the overrunning type and as best shown in Fig. .4 each of the members 88 comprises an annular member having a pair of flat portions 8! that rise gradually from the-plane of the seat and terminate in vertically directed faces 82- which extend radially of the stem 48 at diametrically opposite The vertically extending face portions 92 are so arranged that when thewash distributor is rotated and caused to move upwardly into engagement with the rinse distributor by the ntroductiqn of wash fluid into the former the-faces 82 of the clutch part 98' carried by the wash distributor will engage the.

faces 82 of the rinse distributor clutch member and cause the two distributors to rotate as a unit. The angular positioning of the vertical faces 82 relative to the wash arms. SI and rinse arms 10.

' respectively, is such that the distributors are fering relationship.

81 that overlies the upstanding boss portion 83 of the rinse distributor and is received beneath the head 8| of the bolt 88. The bolt 88 and washer 81 thus serve as a thrust bearing which retains the rinse distributor in position on the stem H and limits the upward movement of the wash distributor. As shown in Fig. 2 the key 81 is circular in shape and the slot 88 is of just sumcient length and width to permit the key to slide past the shank portion or the bolt 80 to a central position relative to the stem, and the boss 83 where it looks the boss beneath the head 8! of the bolt. The size of the key 81 is such that it is normally maintained in its assembled position by the enclosing wall of the cap member 84. Upon unscrewing and removal of the cap member 84, however, the key may be readily slid from under the head of the bolt 88 to provide forthe ready and rapid removal of the washing and rinsing distributors for cleaning or other purp ses. The rinse distributor .is thus mounted for free rotation and is maintained in a substantially fixed vertical positioning relative to the stem 4|. This positioning may be adjusted'withhas threaded engagement with the cap member 84. As shown in Fig. 3 the tubular rinse arms 18 are relatively light in weight and the construction and mounting of the distributor is'such locked together with the arms in a non-inter- In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the distributors arelocked together with their arms positioned. approximately 90 apart as shown in Fig. 2. The clutch members 90 are secured to-their seats by means of screws which extend through countersunk holes 93 provided in the portions of the members 90 that lie flat against the seats adjacent the vertical faces 92. The weight of the wash distributor is such that it falls by gravity to its lowered position in which the clutch members 98 are disengaged when the supply of wash fluid thereto is terminated. The rinse distributor is then free to rotate entirely independently of and out of contact with the wash distributor: upon 1 the introduction of a rinse fluid thereinto.

' in limits by rotating the bearing screw 85 which contained in the rack. The lower distributing unit which is designated generally by the reference numeral H0 is of a'construction similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5 of the drawings and is mounted within the tank portion '1 ll below the article carrying rack H2 by means of branch pipes H3 and: I H which operatively connect the wash and rinse distributors with the wash fluid supply pipe 5 and the rinse fluid supply pipe 8 respectively in themanner hereinabove described. A housing portion H8 provided witn doors 9' extends upwardly from the tank portion III and encloses a washing adjacent the top of the housing portion I I8 and rotatably supports a wash distributor I28 and a rinse distributor I21. A branch pipe I29 connects the fitting I25 with the wash supply pipe H5 and a branch pipe I30 connectsthe fitting with the rinse supply pipe H6. The fitting I25 is of substantially the same construction as the fitting 35 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings and is provided with-a downwardly extending discharge portion I35 that communicates with the wash fluid supply pipe I23 and with a downwardly extending hollow boss I36 that is positioned concentrically of the portion I35 and communicates with the rinse supply pipe I30. A hollow stem member I40 extends downwardly from the boss I36 and is normally secured within the boss by means of a tapered key I that corresponds with the key 44 in Figs. 3 and 5 and provides for removing the stem when desired for cleaning or other purposes. The stem I40 extends downwardly below the discharge portion I of the fitting I25 and rotatably supports the wash distributor I26 and the rinse distributor I21. r

The wasl'. distributor I26 is of a construction generally similar to that of the distributor I9 shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings and comprises oppositely extending wash arms 'I45 and a. central hub I46 that is rotatably mounted on the stem I by means of a bearing sleeve I41. A cylindrical lip I49 extends upwardly in surrounding relation to the discharge portion I35 of fitting I25 and provides a non-frictional but efiectively closed continuous passage between the interior of the fitting and the interior of the wash distributor. The height of the lip I48 is sufficient to maintain its overlapping relation with the discharge portion I35 throughout a limited aasaaoa of the bolt which is made of suitable bearing material thus provides a thrust bearing that supports the rinse distributor against downward movement relative to the stem I40. A cap I10 threads on the exterior of the depending boss I68 and normally maintains the key I61 in supporting relationship with respect to the bolt I65 and boss I68 but provides for ready removal or the key when it is desired to' remove the rinse distributor from the stem member.

To provide for releasably locking the rinse distributor to the wash distributor .upon operation of the latter 'to eil'ect joint rotation of the two distributors with the rinse arms maintained in a non-interfering position relative to the discharge of the washing fluid a pair of cooperating clutch members I15 are attached to the top of the rinse distributor I21 and to a bottom portion of the wash distributor I26 and are adapted to be engaged upon axial movement of. the wash distributor towards the rinse distributor. As shown the clutch members I15 are of a construction similar to the clutch members00 described above and are provided with radially directed vertically extending faceportions "6 that cooperate to provide a one way drive between the wash distributor and rinse distributor to cause rotation of the latter in response to. rotation of the former.

The clutch members are secured to the distributors by means of screws I11 and the vertical faces I16 are so positioned that the distributors are locked together with the arms in a predetermined non-interfering relationship, this relationship being such in the illustrated embodiment that the distributors are locked together with the arms substantially 90 apart as in the device of tributor. As shown in Fig. '7 the stein I40 is grooved to receive a c-shapedwasher I80. This washer fits inside the bore of lower clutch member I15 and is thus retained in operative position. The washer I80 supports a sleeve I8I that is rotatably mounted on the stem and isjslidably received within a recess! provided in the lower portion of the hub bearing sleeve I41. A coil the stem I40 by means of bearings I56 and I51 and carries the oppositely extending rinse arms I58 provided with spray nozzles I59. The rinse fluid is introduced into the rinse distributor by means of openings I60 which are provided in the stem member I40 between the bearings I56 and I51 and communicate with the hollow interior of the stem member.. The thrust load of the rinse distributor and such portion of the downor key I61 that extends into supporting engagement with the under side of a depending boss I68 provided on the distributor head I55. The head enlarged head I66 that fits over a slottedwasher spring I83 is positioned in the recess I82 above the sleeve I8I and is adapted to be compressed between the top of the recess and the sleeve. The sleeve I8] is keyed to the bearing sleeve I 41 for rotation therewith by means of a projection I84 that extends inwardly from the upper clutch member I15 and is received within a vertically elongated slot I85 provided in the sleeve 'I8I. assure axial travel of the hub I46 and bearin sleeve I41 in unison the sleeve I41Vis provided with an external shoulder I86 which engages and cooperates with an internal shoulder I81 provided on the hub. A washer I88 constructed from suitable bearing material is mounted on the washer I below the sleeve I8! and provides a bearing surface for taking the thrust load on the sleeve.

The strength of spring I83 is such that it will normally support the weight of the wash distribindependently of and out of contact with the wash distributor in response to the introduction pressure will compress the spring and cause the wash distributor toslide downwardly upon stem mounted on said stem and also adapted to be rotated by the reaction forces ofa rinse fluid expelled from discharge openings provided in said arm, means supporting said rinse arm for I40 into engagement with the top of the rinse distributor. -The cooperating faces I16 of the clutch members are thus caused to engage upon rotation of the wash distributor in response to the reaction forces of the fluid expelled from the angularly positioned nozzles I90 provided at the ends of the wash arms and lock the two distributors together for rotation in unison with the rinse arms maintained in a position in which they do not interfere with the discharge of the wash fluid. The portion of the downward thrust on the wash distributor that is not utilized in compressing the spring I83 is taken upby the end bearing I66 and washer I61 which, as mentioned above, support the rinse distributor against downward movement relative to the stem I 0. minated the spring I83 returns the wash distributor to its raised position in which the clutch members I are disengaged and the rinse distributor is again free to rotate entirely independently of the wash distributor upon the subsequent introduction of a rinse fluid therein.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invenrotation entirely independently of'and out of contact with said relatively heavy wa'sharm and in response to reaction forces'that would be insuiiicient to cause eiiective rotation of the wash arm, normally inoperative means for establishing a driving relation between said wash and rinse arms and means operable in response to hydraulic pressure supplied to said wash arm'for rendering said last mentioned meansoperative for locking said arms together to providefor rotation of the wash-and'rinse arms in unison with the rinse arm maintained in a predetermined non-interfering position relative to saiddischarge openings of the wash arm.

When the supply of washing fluid is tertion, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus,

. and that changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine of the character described, a pair of fluid distributing arms for distributing fluid to and upon the articles to .be washed, a stem member, means for mounting said arms adjacent each other for independent rotation on said stem member with one of said arms being positioned inwardly of the other in the direction in which the fluid is projected, a driven member carried by and rotatable with the inner of said arms, a drive member carried by and rotatable with the outer of said arms, means for supporting said members respectively for movement relative to each other from an inoperative position leaving the arms free of contact with each other to an operative interengaging position, cooperating means on said drive and driven members for effecting the retaining of said inner arm in non-interfering relation with the fluid discharge from said outer -arm during driving engagement therebetween, and means operable upon supplyof pressure fluid to and rotation of said outer arm in the absenceoi 3. In a washing machine of the character described, a hollow stem member, a wash arm rotatably mounted and axially movable on said,

ment of said wash arm to efiect rotation of both of said arms. with the rinse arm lying in a vertical plane that is displaced from a vertical plane passing through the wash arm.

4. In a washing machine of the character described, a hollow stem member, a rinse distributor having a laterally extending arm provided with discharge outlets rotatably mounted on said stem and adapted to be 'rotated by the reaction of fluid expelled therefrom, a wash distributor having a laterally extending arm pro vided with discharge outlets, means formounting said wash distributor on said stem for lim ited axial movement in response to the introduction of fluid thereinto and for rotation in response to the reaction of fluid expelled therefrom, and means operative upon said axial movement of said wash distributor for effecting positive engagement and rotation of both distributors with the laterally extending arm of said rinse distributor maintained in a non-interfering position relative to the discharge outlets of said wash distributor.

5. A washing device of. the character described comprising a stem, arotatable wash distributor and a separately rotatable rinse distributor mounted on said stem, 'means supporting said distributors for relative movement towards and away from each other axially of the stem, means for rotating each one of said distributors in response to fluid being supplied thereto, cooperatsupply of pressure fluid to said inner arm for eifecting said relative movement of said drive and driven members to establish driving engagement therebetween.

2. In a washing machine of the character described, a stem member, a relatively heavy wash arm mounted on said stem and adapted to be rotated .by'the reaction forces of a wash fluid expelled from discharge openings provided 'in' the arm, a "relatively light weight rinse arm ing driving parts carried respectively by said distributors, and'means efiective upon axial movement of the distributors relative to each other for causing positive engagement of said driving parts and rotation of both distributors in response to fluid being supplied to the other of said distributors.

6. A washingdevice of the character described I out or contact with said'rinse distributor to protributor for connecting said distributors together vide for rotation of the rinse distributor ind'efor joint rotation with the rinse distributor main pendently of the wash distributor, said resilient tained' in a predetermined non-interfering pomember providing for movement of said wash sition relative to the discharge of wash fluid I distributor towards said rinse distributor upon 5 from the wash distributor.

introduction of a wash fluid thereinto, and means operative upon said movement of the wash disd GERALD B. FOX. 

